3.08.2012

You may recall that for the next couple of months I'm partnering with Apartment Guide as an official Apartment Guide Decor Blogger. And as an official Apartment Guide Decor blogger, that's just what I'm going to do as well. I hope that you all will join me on this bloggy journey as I share tips and ideas for making the most of your space while living on a budget.

As some of you may know...we are currently renting a home. And although it is a great home, and we like it very much, it is - how shall I put this? - cozy. And if you know realtor-speak at all, you know that cozy is a code word for small. And that's okay because it is perfect for our family at this time. But, that said, there are some challenges that come along with living in a small-ish space. But I believe that challenges are just opportunities in disguise. So today I wanted to share 7 tips for maximizing your small space...for turning those challenges into decorating opportunities!

1. Find furniture that serves multiple purposes. And when I say multiple purposes, I'm usually referring to STORAGE. Storage is almost always an issue in smaller homes, and anything that can add extra storage is a bonus. A dresser makes a great console table AND adds extra storage. Using a trunk as a coffee table can do the same. Of course, furniture such as sleeper sofas or chairs are also great because they are functional during the day, but can accomodate guests at night. You get the idea.

2. Use small scale furniture. Now, I'm not always a fan of following "the rules" of decorating. However, this is one of those rules that will really help to visually enlarge a small space. Large furniture can be used in a small space, of course. And it makes the space feel cozy. But remember what the word "cozy" is code for? Yep. Small. So if you want to visually enlarge a small space, choose furniture that is in scale with that space. It really does work.

3. Control clutter.Remember my post from yesterday? When it comes to small space decorating, especially, remember to edit, edit, edit. Simple accessories and concealed storage are your friends in a small space.

4. Add mirrors.I am a HUGE fan of mirrors! I love them!! And small spaces especially benefit from the addition of mirrors. Not only do mirrors visually enlarge a space by reflecting it back at you, but they also reflect light, and light helps to make a space feel larger as well. So add mirrors...everywhere.

5. Use glass-topped furniture.I am, of course, primarily referring to coffee and end tables. Because glass-topped tables make a space appear larger by receding into the background. They allow the space around them to be seen. They visually appear smaller, so they make the room seem larger.

6. Use similar wall and fabric colors.This is one of those rules of decorating that - again - really works in a small space. By choosing a wall color and similar drapery or upholstery colors, you create a visual continuity that enlarges a space. It is the same concept as clothing...if you wear all one color from head to toe, you will appear taller and thinner because the eye won't "stop" at the change in colors. If you paint a wall blue and then continue with the same shade of blue curtains, your eye will move over the whole space uninterrupted and it will appear larger. And don't worry about this making the space boring..that's what accessories are for, remember?

7. Hang curtains as close to the ceiling as possible.I'm sure you've heard the decorating trick that hanging curtains higher and wider than a window visually enlarges the window. Well, the same idea works for ceiling height. Hanging curtains as close to the ceiling as possible will give the illusion of higher ceilings. Try this trick...it really works!

So if you, like me, are living in a cozy space...try incorporating a few of these tricks and check out the difference it makes. You'll be amazed!

And now, I have a fun giveaway for you. The good people of Apartment Guide have offered to give one reader of The Shabby Nest a $100 AmEx gift card!

To enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite small space decorating trick (and even if you live in a large space...I bet you have one of these up your sleeve.)
2. For an extra entry, you can follow Apartment Guide on Twitter @AptGuide for tips and updates on making the most of your space and then leave an additional comment to let me know that you are following.

Giveaway will be open until Saturday, March 10 at 11:59 pm MST. I will choose a winner via Random.org. Good luck~

Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. have partnered with bloggers like me as Official Apartment Guide Bloggers. As part of this program, I have received compensation. They have not told me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

I think you're right- edit, edit, edit! I live in a small townhome and I'm all about making my kid-filled home, look as kid-free as possible. The toys easily overcrowd, so I use ottomans and sideboards as a way to hide toys and things we use frequently, but help keep the space grown-up, even though it's totally not!

Stay organized! I usually use my closet space wisely, so clutter is not in the room itself. Also, sticking with light colors on the walls makes your place look larger. Dark walls tend to make a space look smaller. And I always stick with white celling, a dark celling always makes the space look smaller (in my opinion).

Organization and taming the clutter are both huge when it comes to opening up a small space! (definitely not something I've conquered but am working on!) Light paints and white ceilings also help to make a room appear larger. As much as I love dark colored curtains for the cozy factor during winter they have to go once it starts warming up or else it feels like we live in a cave (yes we are smaller home family... 3 bdrm, 2.5 bath, 16 square feet, 2 adult/3 teen plus HUGE dog family)

MY rule for small spaces is to be clutter free, really that is my rule for ALL spaces. clutter is a space killer, and organization is a space savior. Get rid of that clutter and if you must keep some of it, atleast give it some organization!

i have a VERY cozy home and need to be creative in every area.I utilize under beds ,use add on baskets that slip between shelves to store smaller items. I even have my luggage filled with out of season things and display some of them.Thanks for a chance to win

In small spaces using all of your wall space is key. Go vertical with it! Shelving offers space for storage as well as adding accessories. In my walk in closet I just added a shelf over the door, and now have a place for all my purses. It looks cute too!

I agree storage is key! We have a beautiful china cabinet that works as our entry table and has glass doors to store and display our wedding china and all our serving dishes. We love to entertain so it makes it easy to pull out and looks great!

I have absolutely no skills in the home decor department. However, I did notice that when I removed the large area rug from my small bedroom, it made the room seem larger. Maybe that is true in any small space. Thanks for the great giveaway!heatherspooner1981 at gmail dot com

Multi-functional furniture is a must in our "cozy" home. I'm planning on making a storage bench for our kitchen table to house table-cloths and less used kitchen items (i.e. meat slicer, coolers, seasonal stuff.)

I live in a 425 square foot guest house and love it! Some things I've done to make the most of it...

- I'm intentional with what I bring into the space- my coffee table is a trunk that houses extra blankets, pillows and towels- My end tables are suitcases which hide misc. things- And underbed storage is a must for purses, jackets, seasonal clothes, etc. - And I'm constantly decluttering and having yard sales to get rid of things that I no longer need.

But what I do need...is that $100 gift card which I can easily make room for :-)

It's already been said, but keeping clutter under control is key. Don't sit down after dinner without first making a sweep of the main living areas - make the kids participate too. Even a little neglect can become overwhelming after a couple of days, and a tidy space is so much easier to relax in.

The smallest place I ever lived in was my college dorm room. An inexpensive thing I did to liven up my space was to place a oversized piece of fabric (or tablecloth) over an old end table. I hid all my books and backpack there.

What a wonderful post! I have a cozy home, too. I agree with everything, except I don't do the glass tabletops. They WORK and expand space, but you have to DUST them every stinkin' day around here. :)-Revi

Hi Wendy, I use a wall of shelves to help control clutter left other places by using wicker baskets on the shelves. I am going to use metal pails on the wall in my son's bedroom to not only decorate a wall but to put those things he needs (mp3 player and headphones, ds, his chap stick collection, etc) and things he likes (silly bands, platic frogs, etc). Creative storage solutions is a must, and when you can combine them with decorating all the better.

My favorite tip for small spaces is to think "up". Many people don't utilize their full walls and instead have lots of teeny little bookshelves when one really tall one would take up less space and actually look more library-esque. :)